White Mountain Fees/Thu-Hikers

[DougPaul]

What I don't understand is why one 'club' charges double or triple the user fees for the exact same services that another club charges.

Higher costs?

Doug

 

[Stan]

What I don't understand is why one 'club' charges double or triple the user fees for the exact same services that another club charges.

Another speculation is that one club may use fees from one operation to subsidize another operation.

I hate to pay fees, taxes etc. as much as the next guy ... probably even more so ... but I don't agree with the AMC bashing over this issue. They do a lot of work that is not as visible as their physical facilities.

My main bash, however, is this. I have long advocated that non-profits adopt more market based practices to help sustain activities which are important but not necessarily associated with a funding source. At times they seem to go overboard and their retailing and fundraising can get a bit obnoxious.

As to user fees in New England, I would venture to say you can make it through the entire region without it costing a cent. It all depends upon how important convenience and sometimes comfort is.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

What I don't understand is why one 'club' charges double or triple the user fees for the exact same services that another club charges.

Some clubs use the money to subsidize other activitiies, like buying sneakers for kids in Boston, sending mucky-mucks to DC to lobby for their interests, etc.

And, as Doug so eloquently points out - Higher costs?

 

[Jaytrek57]

Well the AMC does have The Youth Opportunities Program (YOP). It allows youth groups free access to equipment and reduced rates at huts. Without it...I couldn't have taken a lot of kids from Boston on trips.

I'm a bit biased...used to run the program.

Peace

 

[Puck]

Some clubs use the money to subsidize other activitiies, like[....] sending mucky-mucks to DC to lobby for their interests, etc.

Isn't the AMC a 501 (c) 3? Can they lobby or get involved in politics beyond educational efforts?